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What You'll Find Here

I'm primarily a storyteller and a builder, which expresses itself in several ways:

Sims 4 Builds: I've been creating a ton of builds for a new save file, plus taking photos of old ones. If I can figure out how to safely share (and give credit for) builds using CC on the Gallery, then those will be shared. Until then, it's pictures-only.

Sims 4 Sims: CAS is not my favorite places to be, but I do enjoy styling my Sims. Expect me to post a lot of lookbooks and makeovers. Again, if I can figure out how to safely and simply share CC-enhanced Sims with credit, I'll be doing that.

Worldbuilding: I love worldbuilding, and I've thought a lot about the larger world of TS4 and SimNation might look like. Expect a lot of posts about the regions, politics, and religions of SimNation.

Stories: The save file I'm currently working on will be the setting for a story-focused neighborhood. But I can't start on that until I get the save file ready.

I've also created some mods with Mod Constructor. I'd need to get a lot more confident in their functionality and my ability to fix problems before I tried to share them. But you never know! I learned how to use Canva last week to make that title card. Maybe next month, I'll figure out how to hand-code and hand-update the mods I've made.

The first ritual is Memory Banking. Learning Centers will work with elders to help them record stories of their lives. Video and audio recordings are preferred for this, since the elder can take copies home to distribute to their loved ones. Regardless of whether the stories themselves are interesting to the loved ones, the voice and image of the elder can often be a great comfort when they are gone.

When the all-but-inevitable happens, the Congregation of Non-Believers recommends that survivors host a memorial soon after the death. There was some talk of calling the gathering a “celebration of life,” but Non-Believers have largely rejected this idea. They reason that very few people want to celebrate after a death (and if they do, either they don’t belong at the deceased’s final ceremonies or the deceased was a real piece of work), and pretending to put on a happy face does more harm than good. The point of the memorial is for the living to share memories of the deceased, come to terms with the finality of the death, and comfort each other. Non-Believers are largely agnostic about which funeral activities are best for memorial services, arguing that activities should be chosen that reflect the deceased’s preferences in life and what will actually comfort the mourners. But if they had to choose, they would argue that activities like mourning the deceased, moments of silence, eulogies, and lighting candles are most helpful.

Now, in more traditional faiths, interring, cremating, or otherwise disposing of the body is an important part of death rites. The Congregation of Non-Believers as an institution does not get involved with this. While many Learning Centers with event space will host memorials, virtually none are accredited cemeteries. The most the Congregation of Non-Believers will say is that the final disposition of a loved one’s remains should follow all applicable laws and be carried out in as eco-friendly a fashion as possible and desirable. Also, don’t spread the ashes of your loved one at a Learning Center. None of the janitorial staff is paid enough to deal with having to sweep up your loved one and toss them in the trash, which is what will happen.

After the memorial, the real work of grieving begins. Non-Believers urge mourners to recognize their grief and aim to deal with it constructively. For example, mourners who find themselves experiencing the blues are urged to read, paint, and work on their Logic skill, while those experiencing anger are advised to channel their fury into physical exercise. All mourners are encouraged to attend grief counseling. Many Learning Centers will host counseling or support groups called, appropriately enough, After the Memorial.

Everyday and Formal looks.

The Beakers come from a long and illustrious line of scientists, visionaries, and thinkers. Erin's apple not only fell very far from the tree, it also got a bit bruised on the way down. She's Materialistic, a Foodie, and well, Oblivious.

Athletic and PJs.

Erin is very much a girl's girl - and she's convinced that the brain powers the Beakers are known for just came out a bit different in her. She wants to be a Celebrity Psychic and has the Gregarious trait to go with that desire.

Party and Swimwear.

There's just one small problem with that ambition: Erin has all the psychic powers of a brick.

Hot Weather and Cold Weather.

But Erin isn't about to let that stop her! She's studying Psychology at the University of Britechester. She's convinced that is the key to unlocking her psychic powers and taking her place among the many illustrious Beakers of the past.

And she can't wait!

I'm proud of this one. I packed this lot to the brim with things for my Foxbury students to do and see. Even outside!

Heading inside, we have a big lobby as well as a large dining hall. I love how much natural light we (I) get in here - thank you, glass roofs!

On the first floor, we also have a gym as well as bathrooms and locker rooms.

Moving upstairs, we have a large common area complete with ping-pong tables and plenty of spaces to sit and study (or not study).

There's a study room "just" for the Brainiacs (although obviously, anyone can come in here and study).

The Foxbury E-Sports team has a practice room of their own, complete with a video station.

And of course the Bot Savants have a lab!

Layout shots!

The first is rituals around dying. When a Peteran feels that the end is near, they will request a sibling to come to them. That sibling will lead them in prayers and help them reflect on what they’ve loved and learned in their life, as well as what they might have done differently. They help the person to make any last amends that are in their power to make. If the Sim is unable to speak or already unconscious, the sibling will pray with the dying one’s loved ones and comfort them.

After death, the living are encouraged to plan a funeral within a few days of their loved one’s passing. That funeral will typically be held at the nearest Peteran mission. While the format will be very similar to a typical Peteran worship service, it will include various funeral events meaningful to the deceased throughout. There are very few funeral activities that Peterans actively frown on (using Ghost Mastery for evil is about the only one they outright forbid), but lighting candles, giving lighthearted eulogies, playing and listening to music, planting things, and moments of silence are all particularly encouraged.

Peterans are permitted to have their remains buried under a tombstone, interred in a crypt, or cremated and placed in an urn. Peterans can be laid to rest in Jacoban cemeteries and vice versa.

If a Sim has successfully transitioned into being a fully cognizant Ghost, they are encouraged to show up for their own funeral. After the funeral (and any activities the family may plan afterward), they should meet with a sibling to discuss how they’ll complete the rest of their Soul’s Journey. With the help of the Church, the Ghost will continue their Soul’s Journey until such a time as they are ready to be Reborn (hopefully with the Burning Soul trait) or enter the Watcher’s Kingdom.

There usually are no rituals surrounding these transitions. They are intensely personal and usually completed when the Ghost is by themself.

Everyday and Formal looks.

The thing is, Lola is an Ambitious Sim - as well as being Outgoing and Calm. And she knows very well that in this day and age, the only way to get somewhere in life is to get a college education first.

(Well. She thinks she knows that. She's quite young, after all.)

Athletic and PJs.

Now, what's Lola ambitious for, you ask?

... She's working on that.

Right now, she knows she wants to be Fabulously Wealthy. And she has the Business Savvy to make it happen. Her plan is to pick up some odd shifts around campus and study, study, study - a more lucrative job should come in time.

Party and Swim.

She's studying History, mostly because she likes it. Perhaps in other parts of the multiverse, that wouldn't be the best option for a young woman whose primary motivation is to make money. But in SimNation, a Distinguished Degree in History will open up doors in the law, politics, and military - all without pesky interviews or competition to get one's foot in the door.

Why not study history?

Hot Weather and Cold Weather.

Of course, she's not just studying. In addition to picking up shifts where she can, she's keeping an eye on Chloe, who will go absolutely off the rails at the slightest provocation. And she's keeping in touch with the rest of the family back in Oasis Springs.

Oh. And she might squeeze in some fun, too. After all, you're only young once ... right?

Human Disguise.

At death comes the Watcher’s Judgment, at which point the deceased are sent to the Netherworld, to be Reborn into a new life, or to the Watcher’s Kingdom. Therefore, it’s important for living Sims to be ready for this judgment at any moment. Sims (especially elders) are exhorted to attend confession regularly and keep up with their penances. Once it becomes clear that death is imminent, a shepherd comes to complete one final confession and penance. If the dying Sim cannot adequately confess, the shepherd will say prayers over or with them and consider that a final confession.

After death, the living are encouraged to plan a funeral within a few days of the Sim’s passing. Funerals are typically held in a Jacoban church, and usually the shepherd will lead the assembled in a regular service before allowing funeral activities to take place. Jacobans do not dictate what funeral activities must be chosen, but they prefer more staid activities such as mourning the deceased, lighting candles, giving eulogies (typically mournful ones), and holding moments of silence. Listening to music and playing instruments are permitted, but dancing is considered very uncouth. Planting something, serving food, and giving toasts should be reserved for after the service.

Most Jacobans are interred in a Jacoban cemetery. The Jacoban Church allows the deceased to be laid to rest under tombstones, in urns, or in a crypt. Jacoban places of worship also permit the burial of Peterans and vice-versa.

Everyday and Formal looks.

Chloe has big dreams and plans for her college years - just maybe not academic ones. She's Outgoing, Lazy, and a Daydreamer, after all. Hitting the books is not the stuff of her dreams.

Athletic and PJs.

However, she is a Culinary Arts major at UBrite - so maybe there won't be too many books in her future. Or if there are books, they'll be ones that hold her interest.

A girl can dream!

And speaking of this girl's dreams ...

Party and Swim.

Look, Chloe knows that family is important to the whole Smith-Curious-Singles clan. It's kind of their thing.

But Chloe is way too young to settle down. And how is she even supposed to know what she wants out of a partner until she's had a few?

Maybe more than a few.

Maybe she's Alluring. Maybe she wants to be a Serial Romantic.

Is that so wrong?

Hot Weather and Cold Weather.

Her dad shouldn't be able to say anything about it. She and Lola only exist because he abducted some rando. Sixamian family values, her ass.

(Oh, yeah, Lola is along for the college ride, too. And probably taking it more seriously. Chloe's only paying so much attention to Lola. It would be weird if they were twins and totally obsessed with and constantly comparing themselves to each other, wouldn't it be?)

Human Disguise.

The original EA version of this lot was just so ... minimal. I thought that the students of UBrite deserved better, so I created something better for them.

We'll start with the atrium. UBrite is hoity-toity enough to have an atrium in its student union.

The dining hall is ... large. And a great place to do homework, honestly!

The opposite side of the building has a common room with ping-pong, darts, and a stage for UBrite's poetry readings etc.

Bathrooms. They're necessary.

Now let's head down to the basement! Yes, there's a basement here.

The basement features full locker rooms.

A fitness room for regular students and the soccer team.

There's also a cheerleading studio and a yoga studio. Two separate studios!

No need to use the leg machines, though - we're heading all the way upstairs!

The debate team has a large, very fancy meeting room.

There's a study room with some video machines. You know, for the student-influencers.

Last but not least - we have an art studio!

Layout shots!

This was, in fact, the problem with marriage. In many places and periods, marriage was not a matter of individuals choosing to take life’s forking paths hand-in-hand. Instead, they would be shackled together and set down a specific path, often to further not their own health and happiness but rather the financial and social needs of their families or dynasties. Not all the time, of course. But enough of the time that it was troubling, and enough of the time that the Treader religion never wanted to set down a specific marriage rite.

Those days of forced marriages are largely behind Treaders, thank the Watcher-beings. (Arranged marriages still happen sometimes, but as long as all parties are free to consent or refuse without repercussions, the Treader religion has no issue with them. Morally speaking, being set up by your parents is no different than being set up by your best friend.) Yet the Treader religion still has no overarching marriage rite. The refusal remains deliberate; sexual practices among Treaders are far too diverse for Treaders to set down a one-size-fits-all marriage ceremony.

But rituals do exist for Treaders who wish to be married. In addition to culturally specific rituals like family gatherings, tea ceremonies, and the giving of red envelopes, many Treader temples dedicated to Watcher-beings focused on love and fertility will confer specific blessings on just-married or soon-to-be-married couples. (“Couples” is used here for convenience; many of these temples will bless romantic groupings of all shapes and sizes.) Getting a blessing is pretty simple; all Sims need to do is come to the temple with their spouse, make an offering, and get the blessing. Sometimes this will be part of wedding festivities and include a host of guests; at other times, this will be a private ceremony just for the couple. Most temples will recommend that Sims who wish to include a blessing as part of their wedding make reservations ahead of time, just to ensure the timing works out.

Speaking of weddings: while Treader temples have not traditionally hosted weddings, this is starting to change. Some priests are becoming licensed to perform secular ceremonies at their temples. These temples often have beautifully romantic sanctuaries and grounds, perfect for wedding photos. Hosting the wedding and performing the blessing at the same time cuts down on logistical hurdles and is quite convenient for couples. Plus, it’s often very lucrative for the temples themselves - and as not-for-profits, most temples are always on the lookout for as many funding streams as they can get.

Treader priests and Treader temples will typically bless any marriage of any Treader, no matter who they’re marrying. (Treader priests performing secular marriages are limited to the marriages the law allows, but blessings they confer are their own business and none of the government’s.) Cross-faith marriages are no problem. 

One last thing: in the past, the two Great Watcher-beings known to have been married (Mother Nature and Spruce Almighty) were never sought out for marriage blessings. Doing so was considered unlucky. In recent years, however, there has been a push toward including them in wedding ceremonies and even having joint blessings. In these ceremonies and blessings, the couple promises to love, honor, and support each other to the best of their abilities - but should their partner’s needs outstrip their abilities, they promise to end the marriage as respectfully and empathetically as possible. This is framed not as fatalism but as radical acceptance.

Divorce

Divorce is a large part of why the Treader faith does not have a specific marriage rite or officially recognize marriages. Try as Sims might, some relationships just don’t work out. And forcing couples who are no longer suited for or able to empathize with each other is hardly a recipe for harmony - quite the opposite.

Now, the Treader faith does not officially grant divorces. By keeping marriage in the secular, legal realm, Treaders ensure divorce is also a secular and legal matter. (Even Treader priests licensed to perform secular marriages can’t grant a divorce any more than any other Sim can.) But they do recognize divorces and work to help Sims going through one find peace and healing.

When a Treader is going through a divorce or realizes they are soon likely to go through a divorce, they will go to a temple of Spruce Almighty or Mother Nature. (They choose whichever they most identify with at that moment.) There, they will meet with a priest of that Watcher-being. The priest will pray with them, accept any offerings, and lead them through a series of guided meditations and thought exercises. The goal is to help the divorced Sim work through their feelings and reach a place of inner harmony. This is not all accomplished in one visit, but can take place over weeks, months, or even years. These days, many temples publish the prayers, meditations, and exercises on their websites to allow Sims to access help even if priests might not be available.

Then, when the Sim is ready - or when their priest gently or not-so-gently suggests it’s time - they go to the opposite temple and start the process over again. Only this time, the goal is not to reach inner harmony but outer empathy. The Sim should start to understand where their partner was coming from, even if they still don’t agree with their perspective. Reconciliation is not the point; understanding is.

These rites are wholly optional for divorcing Sims - there’s very little the Treader faith can do (or would do) to force Sims going through a divorce to partake in these rites. But many priests will hesitate to bless a subsequent marriage if they are aware a Sim has divorced and not gone through the divorce rites. Divorce is often necessary - but the Treader faith isn’t going to pretend it’s anyone’s first choice, and Sims who have gone through one should try to learn as much as possible from it so they don’t have to do that again.

Everyday and Formal looks.

He's studying Biology, which he thinks is a perfect fit for him. After all, He's Active, Outgoing, and Loves the Outdoors.

He hasn't decided yet what he's going to do with his Biology degree, but he'll figure it out eventually. One day at a time.

Athletic and PJs.

He's a Quick Learner, after all. And right now, all he's focusing on is being the best Academic he can be.

He can worry about getting a job and what he wants to do with his life once he's further along in his degree.

Party and Swim.

For now, he's focusing on his studies, exploring Britechester, and making new friends. He misses his family, of course - his parents as well as his sister Bella and her kids - but this is his time, and he intends to enjoy it.

Hot Weather and Cold Weather.

He especially wants to make friends with this pretty girl Dina he's seen around campus. (Or maybe her name is Nina? She has a twin, Michael's heard, and he might be getting the names mixed up. Seriously, what kind of parent gives their twins names that are so easily confused?) She's studying Drama, and she seems rather sweet in addition to being drop-dead gorgeous.

(Meanwhile, her redheaded sister seems like the type to eat guys alive. Michael is pretty sure most men would enjoy that experience. He is also pretty sure he would NOT.)

Maybe he'll get to know her a little better. Time will tell, right?

The Cult understands that a lifetime vow like marriage is not for everyone, and certainly not for every relationship. The Cult also separates legal marriage from religious marriage. Having woohoo outside of wedlock (assuming you’re not stepping outside the bounds of a committed relationship) is not shameful. Having a child outside of wedlock is not shameful. Getting married legally but not religiously, or well before a religious marriage, is not shameful. Getting married religiously but not legally is not shameful. Being married (religiously) to more than one person is not shameful - assuming, of course, that all one’s partners are aware of each other and supportive of the relationships.

Because marriage is optional, the wedding rituals are quite time-consuming, meant to prove that the couple is willing to put in the work to make a marriage last. The entire set of rituals is called Grafting. 

First, each partner selects a plant that has some meaning to them. Each plant should be one each partner grew themself, and it should be of very high quality. Sometimes Sims who were born into the Cult of the Cowplant will choose the tree they have grown from childhood (or a descendent of that tree). However, this isn’t required, in no small part because adult converts to the faith still outnumber Sims raised in it. 

Once the plants are chosen, the Sims will - appropriately enough - graft them together. (Whose plant is the scion and whose is the stock is up to the couple, with couples urged to make a practical choice or else flip a coin.) They will then care for the newly grafted plant together until it is ready to be harvested. The first fruits of that harvest are then dedicated to Sylvia and the Grim Reaper. Assuming all goes well with the growing and the offering, the couple is ready to begin planning their wedding.

The Cult of the Cowplant does not require an elaborate wedding - but many Cultists want one anyway. For a marriage to be religiously valid, all that’s required is for the couple to say heartfelt vows to each other. In practice, a Cultist wedding often involves not just heartfelt, self-written vows, but a semi-public ceremony, a reception for friends and family, and even a honeymoon afterwards. Many rituals common to Watcherian weddings, like a flower pal, Sims of Honor, walking up/down the aisle, dancing, etc. are common at Cultist weddings. There is no requirement for Cultists to marry at a shrine or have a clergyperson preside over the wedding, and many shrines are not set up to comfortably host weddings. That being said, many Cultist clergypersons are also authorized to perform legal weddings and will do so happily. Depending on how long the wedding took to plan, many Cultists will gather successive harvests of their chosen grafted plant and hand them out as favors. Many will also use the fruits of the grafted plants as trees for their children, assuming of course the said fruits will grow into trees.

Note that the Taking of the Cake usually plays no part in the rituals of the wedding day itself. While the cowplant is an important and enduring symbol of the marriage of Sylvia and the Grim Reaper, getting eaten by one is generally considered something of a downer. Cultists are divided as to whether Taking the Cake before the wedding is advisable. Some insist it’s a vital and useful practice - one can symbolically shed one’s less salubrious single habits and emerge refreshed and renewed. Others say it’s not necessary and definitely shouldn’t be done shortly before the wedding.

A quick note about polyamory: Cultists are by and large in favor of it, in theory if not necessarily in their own lives. All the above rituals can be adapted for polyamorous relationships. (Many plants can thrive under multiple grafts, after all.) The Cult of the Cowplant also passes no judgement on how polyamorous relationships and marriages are set up. For instance, if Benedick, Bottom, and Desdemona are in a polyamorous relationship together, the Cult of the Cowplant does not care whether Benedick and Desdemona are each in a relationship with Bottom but not each other or if all three are in romantic relationships. And if later Desdemona wants to bring in Alexander but doesn’t want to share him, whether that’s acceptable or not is between Bottom, Benedick, Desdemona, and Alexander, not the Cult of the Cowplant.

Finally, considering cross-religious marriages: the Cult of the Cowplant will recognize all marriages that go through the above Grafting ritual, whether both members are Cultists or not. Treaders of the Occult are often more than willing to go through these rituals (except the Taking of the Cake), while members of the Congregation of Non-Believers will sometimes humor their partners and sometimes not. Jacobans and Peterans tend to be most resistant to the idea.

Divorce

Cultists recognize that divorce is a sad, fraught, and often wholly necessary rite of passage. Divorced Cultists are not considered failures. Even two of the Great Divines, Spruce and Mother Nature, couldn’t make their marriage last forever. Marriage is hard. And it won’t always work out.

The divorce rituals described below are open to all Sims who are ending a long-term romantic relationship. Sims who marry in the Cult are especially encouraged to go through them before they consider opening themselves up to new romantic relationships. The only exception is Sims who legally divorce for legal or financial reasons but otherwise stay together as a couple. Divorce rituals are meant to be practiced after the physical and logistical steps of un-coupling have been completed (like separating dwellings and the legal/financial side of divorce).

The first step is Renunciation. The divorcing Sim formally repudiates their relationship. They will then destroy some physical symbols of their time together: photos, trinkets, gifts, that kind of thing. This destruction should not be a “screw you” to one’s former partner; the former partner shouldn’t even know what’s being destroyed. The purpose is to symbolically shed physical reminders of the former relationship and maybe let out some anger in a therapeutic way.

(Should the plant from a marriage Grafting be destroyed? Cultists are divided on this. Some believe that destroying the plant completely Renounces the marriage, and, well, no plant lasts forever. Others believe it’s wrong to kill an innocent plant and that instead the plant should be given to a loving home. If the plant in question was used to grow trees for the former couple’s children, the question becomes even more fraught.)

After Renunciation, the next step is Rebalancing. Divorcing Sims are expected to engage in a special devotion to Spruce or Mother Nature - not both. Which one? Well, that’s up to the divorcing Sim. The Cult offers no formal guidance on this because it’s often impossible to objectively declare which party in a divorce was “innocent” and which was “guilty.” Cultists still debate who was most to blame in the breakdown of Spruce and Mother Nature’s marriage. The answer, of course, is that both were to blame, and as such, each divorcing Sim must pick which one they identify with most or think will help them most.

Rebalancing consists of prayers, guided meditations, and special offerings to the divine in question. If that figure can be contacted and their wisdom sought directly, so much the better. The point is for the Sim to seek solace and balance from a divine who has quite literally walked in their shoes before.

The last stage is Renewal - and that is, quite simply, the Taking of the Cake. Once a divorcing Sim feels themself to be mostly healed and balanced again, they submit themself to a cowplant and Take the Cake. When they are eaten, the cowplant is considered to digest the last residues of the relationship (and the poor practices that might have led to its end). After the Sim is spit out and has a chance to recover, they are considered fully renewed and ready to begin a new romantic relationship, should they choose.

And if the Sim in question doesn’t get spit out - well, that shows who was wrong in the divorce, doesn’t it?

Everyday and Formal looks.

Her entire life, she's been the Lesser Twin. A Slob where Angela was Neat. A Kleptomaniac where Angela was Good. And later, a Loner where Angela was ... ok, maybe "Loner" and "Foodie" are harder to compare, but Lilith is pretty sure her parents prefer the Foodie.

They prefer everything else about Angela.

Athletic and PJs.

And Lilith is sick of it.

She spent her childhood trying to prove she was just as good as Angela. Maybe not Good-good, but intelligent. Talented. Worthy.

She failed.

So in her teen years, she rebelled. Decided she wanted to be a Public Enemy and leaned into her Dastardly side. Cut class. Swiped things. Made herself a liability to her mother's political aspirations. Tried to get proof that her father was sleeping around so she could ... she never actually figured out what she'd do if she got proof.

But then ... she met Dirk.

Party and Swim.

Dirk was exactly what her parents would want one of their daughters' boyfriends to be. Well-mannered. Hardworking. Rule-following. The only fly in the ointment was that he was a bit older than Lilith, old enough to cause most well-meaning parents alarm.

Lilith has no idea if the age gap would have alarmed her parents. She never told them about him. They never cared enough about her to find out. (And she and Dirk broke up when he went to college, before the age gap could become a capital-P Problem.)

But before he left, Dirk gave her a precious gift.

He thought she was good enough. Worthy just as she was.

And he showed her that her family's inability to see that was a problem with them, not with her.

Hot Weather and Cold Weather.

That's when Lilith turned her life around. She studied hard enough and kept herself out of enough trouble to get into Foxbury's Villainy program. She taught herself enough math and science to be prepared for courses in Rocket Science and Robotics. And she made a plan.

She's going to ace her Villainy studies. She's going to get a job at SpaceY. And when the time is right, she's taking one of their rockets and running away to the stars.

I've used lilsimsie's version of Pepper's Pub for years, but for this save file, I decided I wanted to create one of my own. So I did, and it took a lot less time than I thought it would!

I didn't think a full beer garden was the right vibe for this place, but a front patio with seating and games seemed perfect.

Inside, the pub pays equal homage to Ubrite and Foxbury - and there are plenty of games on offer.

There are bathrooms. Bathrooms are necessary. There's also a commercial kitchen for verisimilitude and so my Sims can cook if they have to.

The upstairs landing has games tables, comfy sofas, and a keg. For keg parties. Mossy Lane Flats doesn't allow social gatherings, so the students who live off-campus can hold their keg parties here if they don't want a fine.

The upstairs also has 4 "hotel" rooms with ensuites in 2 different styles. If my Sims decide they want to "Spend a day in Britechester" as a bucket list goal, now they have a place to sleep!

Layout shots!

And a zoomed-out view.

I think it fits right into the world!

But that doesn’t mean they don’t have rituals. Pair-bonding is very important to most Sims, after all (no matter how many Sims are in the “pair”), and the Congregation would be remiss if it did not offer some way to mark these important milestones. To that end, many Learning Centers urge their members to take part in pre-marital counseling before tying the knot. They reason it’s far better for couples to explore their values and learn how to manage conflict before anyone puts on a ring on anyone else. Learning Centers will also sometimes throw group wedding showers for disadvantaged couples looking to set up a household together but lacking the funds to do so. Some Learning Centers will even rent out event space for couples looking for a wedding venue, though not all are set up for this purpose.

One last thing Learning Centers will do is offer joint memberships for couples. However, they famously do not inquire about the marital or romantic status of the couple. As long as the two Sims share an address, they could be romantically involved, married, engaged, or just roommates and still qualify for a joint membership. If there are more than two Sims at the same address looking for a membership, then Learning Centers will offer a family membership and not inquire about the blood and/or marital connection of the “family.”

Divorce

Divorce is why the Congregation of Non-Believers refuses to play any role in marriage. Divorce is very common, even among couples who appeared loving and respectful at the outset. Trapping Sims in romantic relationships that no longer serve either party causes unconscionable harm. The Congregation of Non-Believers will always stand up for Sims’ right to enter and leave romantic relationships as they please.

Yet though the Congregation stays out of marriage, when a Non-Believer goes through a divorce, they can turn to their Learning Center for support. Many Learning Centers have charitable outreach programs designed to help Sims suddenly navigating the world as a single person. (Legal aid is a big part of this, though not the only part.) Some Learning Centers will help Sims access counseling for free or a sliding scale. The goal is to help the recently divorced Sims acclimate to their new normal, analyze why their previous relationship did not last, and gain skills that will serve them well in their next romantic relationship, should they choose to have one.

The Congregation of Non-Believers also offers a specific set of rituals for Sims in the midst of divorce. Called “Divorce: Reframed,” the rituals are part adult education course, part support group. They seek to recontextualize divorce in the lifecycle, helping Sims going through a divorce see the end of their relationship not as a failure but as a new beginning. Many Non-Believers would prefer not to see this course as a ritual at all, but when they look at the blend of readings, somewhat scripted meetings, and affirmations, they have to admit that it’s become quite ritualistic without their intending it to be. “Divorce: Reframed” is offered to all members of Learning Centers who need it, including Sims of all religious backgrounds. Unintentionally, it also serves as a great recruitment tool.